Interesting to read all these different opinions being bandied about here. As I always say, each to their own, and everyone's tastes differ - thankfully!Obviously, I will side with Nov, as TFK have frequently blown me away too, but not everyone feels that way.As far as I'm concerned, as long as someone gives a band a fair chance and a listen or three, then it's up to them whether that band is for them or not. It's when people say they don't like a band simply because they've read somewhere that that band isn't up to much that I get annoyed. For me, I like, and always have liked, all eras of prog. There's always been bands I've not been keen on and bands who I've rated highly.For instance, back in the seventies, I was never a fan of ELP or King Crimson.In the eighties I enjoyed Pallas' debut album, but not much after that, and I think Marillion can be hit and miss too, though some of their stuff is excellent.In the nineties, I've enjoyed many new bands, but never been a fan of Dream Theater - though thanks to COT I do have three or four of their albums, which do get played from time to time. Likewise, I find Spock's Beard can be variable too, though I enjoy much of it.Basically, I have a wide taste in music, and that can only be a good thing, surely?Nevertheless, TFK have impressed me like no other band since Genesis, with only Pendragon and IQ coming close.(Though Arena's last four albums are excellent too.)Recently, I've gotten into Big Big Train in a Big Big Way and rate them highly too.Still, the only band who could ever knock Genesis off the number one spot for me - and they've been number one since 1974 - are TFK.They haven't done it yet, but if they do ever get round to releasing another album or two, they just might be real contenders.Funny how we all differ, but good too. Down And Out likes PT, Coldplay and Muse, yet of those bands, only Porcupine Tree impress me.As I said, each to their own.

Watched the Tour Kaputt DVD yesterday. It is fantastic! Pat Mastelloto is on drums (King Crimson). He would make a perfect fit in TFK if he ever decided to fill that drummer void they always seem to have. I highly recommend this DVD.

It was interesting to watch another two of the best new "Prog" bands around at the High Voltage Festival this weekend. Spock's Beard blew me away and that was before Neal Morse got up with them! Conversely, Dream Theater merely confirmed my suspicions already begun when I saw them (supported by Spock's Beard funnily enough) and I walked out half way through Dream Theater's set and never went back. Same this weekend, I went back to the real ale bar half way through their set. Frankly they did not deserve the headlining spot they were given but once again, that's just my opinion.

As for TFK and touring. Surely, if this band have the kind of reputation that we are led to believe they do, then a proper tour of the UK should not be beyond them? Until they do something outside the bounds of London and the increasingly cliquey confines of the CRS I won't be travelling to see them. Maybe that is all the chance I need to re-assess my opinion of the band, who knows?

There are too many bands around out there chasing a diminishing amount of ús in fans' pockets which is why I don't believe that the likes of Steve Wilson and Roine Stolt really need to be involved with so many projects - its confusing, and ultimately off-putting because there are only a certain amount of bands I can/will spend money on supporting and I am sure that I am not the only one in this position.

It was interesting to watch another two of the best new "Prog" bands around at the High Voltage Festival this weekend. Spock's Beard blew me away and that was before Neal Morse got up with them! Conversely, Dream Theater merely confirmed my suspicions already begun when I saw them (supported by Spock's Beard funnily enough) and I walked out half way through Dream Theater's set and never went back. Same this weekend, I went back to the real ale bar half way through their set. Frankly they did not deserve the headlining spot they were given but once again, that's just my opinion.

As for TFK and touring. Surely, if this band have the kind of reputation that we are led to believe they do, then a proper tour of the UK should not be beyond them? Until they do something outside the bounds of London and the increasingly cliquey confines of the CRS I won't be travelling to see them. Maybe that is all the chance I need to re-assess my opinion of the band, who knows?

There are too many bands around out there chasing a diminishing amount of ús in fans' pockets which is why I don't believe that the likes of Steve Wilson and Roine Stolt really need to be involved with so many projects - its confusing, and ultimately off-putting because there are only a certain amount of bands I can/will spend money on supporting and I am sure that I am not the only one in this position.

Alan H

I'm one of TFK's biggest fans, and love all their output, but I do tend to agree with Alan on one point here. Although it's good to see musicians like Roine And Steve Wilson active and continually creative, I do think, in some ways, it would be better if they just concentrated a bit more on their main projects, in this case TFK & Porcupine Tree respectively.As much as I admire both of them for their talent, I would personally like more from their main bands. Maybe that's just me being selfish though.

I'm one of TFK's biggest fans, and love all their output, but I do tend to agree with Alan on one point here. Although it's good to see musicians like Roine And Steve Wilson active and continually creative, I do think, in some ways, it would be better if they just concentrated a bit more on their main projects, in this case TFK & Porcupine Tree respectively.As much as I admire both of them for their talent, I would personally like more from their main bands. Maybe that's just me being selfish though.

Then again, Roine and Steven just might not be doing this for the money, in which case they're enjoying dipping their hands into many different projects. Just a thought.

It was interesting to watch another two of the best new "Prog" bands around at the High Voltage Festival this weekend. Spock's Beard blew me away and that was before Neal Morse got up with them!

Spock's Beard were my introduction to the "3rd wave of prog" back in about 1997 so you can understand why I thought the 90s bands blew the 80s prog bands out of the water. When I first heard "Walking on the Wind" it was easily the best prog track I'd heard since 1977.

I first saw them in October 2000 (on our 5th Anniversary - I have a very understanding wife ) and they blew me away. When Neal Morse left Spock's Beard, it was the most devastated I've felt over a music-related event (having been much too young to be bothered about Gabriel leaving Genesis of course )

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Conversely, Dream Theater merely confirmed my suspicions already begun when I saw them (supported by Spock's Beard funnily enough) and I walked out half way through Dream Theater's set and never went back.

I saw The Beard support DT at SBE in 2000/2001 and loved the whole show. This was when DT had brought out the Scenes From a Memory album and played the whole album. Mind you, it's the only one of their's I can listen to. A bit later, I saw DT supported by Porcupine Tree at Hammy Odeon and, like you, had to walk out as it felt like I was being beaten up

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As for TFK and touring. Surely, if this band have the kind of reputation that we are led to believe they do, then a proper tour of the UK should not be beyond them? Until they do something outside the bounds of London and the increasingly cliquey confines of the CRS I won't be travelling to see them. Maybe that is all the chance I need to re-assess my opinion of the band, who knows?

I just hope you have the chance to see them some time. The problem is that even though they are considered one of the top prog bands from the past 15 years, it's still a very small clique and means that they can only pull a few hundred people here and there. Shocking really

I'm hoping that their reputation/legend has grown since 2007 (when they last released an album and toured) so that when (if?) they return, it will be to a larger and more accepting audience. Hopefully Roine's involvement in Transatlantic has also enhanced his reputation - in fact, it must have done.

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There are too many bands around out there chasing a diminishing amount of ús in fans' pockets which is why I don't believe that the likes of Steve Wilson and Roine Stolt really need to be involved with so many projects - its confusing, and ultimately off-putting because there are only a certain amount of bands I can/will spend money on supporting and I am sure that I am not the only one in this position.

I can understand what you're saying, as can Carl (Chessman).

I would also like to see Wilson and Stolt concentrate on their main bands. Mind you, you only have to look at the amount of projects that the Genesis guys have been involved with to know that when guys with amazing talents reach a certain age and status, they like to diversify a bit

The big difference between the Genesis guys and the likes of Stolt and Wilson is that they participate as session men for want of a better word whilst Wilson and Stolt and their ilk seem determined to have as many projects under their moniker as possible and to me this makes no sense and is ultimately self defeating imo.

I would love to see TFK in the live context, maybe next year's High Voltage? Oherwise I can't see my opinion them changing in the interim.

I too saw Dream Theater back on the Scenes From A Memory tour with Spock's Beard supporting. Sadly we arrived late for Spock's set but what I saw was confirmed by their performance last weekend. Sadly the same can also be said of Dream Theater but I was obviously in the minority here.

It is almost certainly Tony's choice. The rest of them have certainly contributed enough to a variety of stuff over the years and in the case of Steve and Peter continue to do so on a regular basis.

The thing that puts me off so many of the new prog bands isn't the music but merely knowing where to start which is why the bed-hopping that has been previously mentioned keeps me from digging deeper. That's just my natural cynicism I suppose.

Er...I think I worded my last post wrong - my wife ordered the cd last week, for my birthday this week!It should, hopefully, arrive just in time for Friday.

If I don't get a chance later, Carl, have an awesome birthday, and enjoy your wonderful 4-disc TFK tribute! I too will be celebrating my birthday (53rd) this weekend by going to the annual Orange County Classic Jazz Festival in Costa Mesa, California. We've been going for many years now. Lots of great classic jazz bands over 3 days.